“) The flaws and inconsistencies in the characterization grow as the film "progresses", and the whole thing is a waste of time.

“ The film is an underhanded, cynical, satirical poke at American materialism, pointless in the end because nothing is resolved.

“ It's so refreshing to watch something entertaining where the characters are portrayed as "real" - albeit flawed - people.

“ Not the usual fare for PPV on Bulsatcom in Bulgaria and, with Malkovich currently appearing every few seconds on CNN, in ads for one of their items about him (I've seen the item and he is sickeningly pretentious), I was in two minds whether or not to use my last (free) token to watch it.

“ It doesn't come even close to being successful as a comedy, and as a drama it is pointless and absurd.

“ A celebration of hedonism – or film about two pointless lives .

“ But the plot itself is secondary to the characters (ugly though they are), and rarely have two actors been better suited to their roles: McDowell's poor little rich girl routine is by now second nature, and Malkovich captures all the self-absorbed boredom of the ersatz upper class with his languid voice and steady reptilian gaze.

“ But I have allotted two more points for the movie's inclusion of a startling and completely unexpected scene - I don't see it mentioned in any of the other reviews on IMDb, nor is it alluded to in any of the newspaper or magazine write-ups in my library - when a totally naked Andie MacDowell strides past the camera.

“ It was a real trial sitting through the entire duration of this tiresome film.

“ Normally, my rating for this wordy film, with its long stretches of ho- hum and boringly repetitive dialogue, flaccid acting (especially from John Malkovich who does anything but ignite our attention in the lead character and his dilemma), ponderous direction and no more than just mildly interesting story-line, would be no more than four points out of ten.

“ She is one really gorgeous woman, that's for sure, and she certainly spices up what is otherwise a rather pointless scene.

“ You can tell easily that's a production from BBC: slow, conservative (the rich & the poor), uptight, colors lavished, intemporal (you can't pinpoint the time from the scenes or the locations: it can happen now or in 1950 or in 1850.....

“ Whatever intent there may have been, the film seemed to me to be mostly about two people who lead hedonistic, pointless lives without regard to or consideration for other people.

“ Out of a life so empty, the statue's return represents a genuine sacrifice of self.